Then they rose for him as he came to the lectern to honor Junior Seau. After a rousing speech in which he credited Seau with teaching him everything from the importance of bringing junk food to training camp to starting a charitable foundation, the crowd again stood to cheer.

Tomlinson was the last of the speakers or dignitaries off the field on which he used to play. On the way to the parking lot, walking the hallway he walked so many times in nine seasons with the Chargers, he spoke of helping players make the transition after their football careers and talked of how he is doing just that.

"I'm pretty much done with football," he said. "I read a book to help me prepare. The league needs to do more to help guys prepare."

Tomlinson, who will be 33 in June, played for the Chargers from 2001-09. He played the past two years for the New York Jets.